Dr Joe McGirr has asked for more time for the NSW Government to consider the potential risks Inland Rail may cause to the city of Wagga Wagga. Photo: Supplied.
Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr has tabled a petition in NSW Parliament calling for countermeasures to a controversial major Federal Government rail project.
Inland Rail is a 1600-km freight rail line project that will connect Melbourne and Brisbane via the Riverina. The project is being constructed by the federal government-owned Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and is aimed at helping companies get their produce to big cities and ports faster and more efficiently.
There has been much debate about the approved plans for Inland Rail which, as they currently stand, will use the current track that cuts through the city of Wagga Wagga, with several sections to be elevated across town to suit the height of the new trains.
Many residents believe the additional trains will cause unwanted noise pollution in the heart of the city, while farmers and workers on the outskirts of the city have concerns about the potential delays to their activity.
Dr McGirr’s petition, which has drawn more than 600 signatures, hopes to address these concerns before the project commences later this year.
“Many people in our community are understandably worried that when Inland Rail is operational, with more than 20 double-stacked freight trains rolling through the city every day, a divide will be created between north and south,” Dr McGirr said.
“I am very pleased that the Federal Government has committed $30 million to plan for a rail bypass of Wagga, which is in line with the petitioners’ concerns, and I hope the federal Coalition takes the same stance.
“But as the petitioners state, there will be a need for grade separation at the Bourke/Docker Street level crossing to ensure traffic can flow effectively, and I will be advocating strongly for this measure to be taken.”
Dr McGirr said the response would provide an opportunity to accelerate advocacy for the concerns of the petitioners which include the need for the bypass, grade separation, elevators on pedestrian bridges and a road safety audit addressing the reconstruction of the Edmonson Street Bridge.
“Inland Rail will offer our region valuable economic opportunities and as nation-building infrastructure, it will deliver a new way of moving freight for our farmers, manufacturers and logistics operators,” Dr McGirr said.
“But it is essential that the project can deliver those benefits without taking a heavy toll on Wagga’s lifestyle, amenities, traffic movement and property values – so, quite simply, it needs to be done right.
“I have been lobbying governments to begin planning for the bypass and to address the serious concerns for critical traffic problems at Bourke and Docker streets, so it is pleasing that the community is demanding action to resolve these problems through this petition.
“I strongly urge the State and Federal governments to listen to our community’s call and deliver an Inland Rail project that will not have negative effects on our city.”
An Inland Rail representative spoke out against these claims stating that the Albury to Illabo section of the track – the section Wagga falls within – was approved by the NSW Government in October last year, with construction to begin later this year and expected to be completed the end of 2027.
“Inland Rail has been implementing the recommendations of Dr Kerry Schott’s report into the delivery of Inland Rail, which recommended progressing construction south of Parkes by the end of 2027,” a spokesperson said.
“The project has been providing great economic benefits to communities where construction is taking place – between December 2018 and December 2024, Inland Rail has employed a total of 6735 people and spent $530.27 million with local businesses.
“A Meet the Contractor event held in Wagga Wagga on 18 March attracted more than 70 businesses from the area who were keen to be engaged on the Illabo to Stockinbingal section of Inland Rail.
“Inland Rail will continue to progress construction and deliver economic benefits to the Wagga Wagga community as we work towards completion south of Parkes by the end of 2027.”
